AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn's defense has improved dramatically since the last time the Tigers faced Dak Prescott.

Then again, so has Prescott. That was long before the 6-foot-2, 230-pound star for No. 3 Mississippi State emerged as the Southeastern Conference's hottest quarterback and the biggest challenge the second-ranked Tigers have faced this season.

"This will be the first quarterback in a while with that size and caliber," Auburn cornerback Johnathon Mincy said.

Known more for offense, the Tigers (5-0, 2-0 SEC) have had one of the league's best defenses so far this season but have only faced two quarterbacks ranked in the Top 100 nationally in total offense.

A much truer test of Auburn's defense comes Saturday versus Prescott, who's ninth in that category and has produced three straight games with 200 passing yards and 100 rushing yards.

The first time Prescott managed that feat was last season against Auburn, in the second start of his college career and first against an FBS team.

The Tigers won on a touchdown pass from Nick Marshall to C.J. Uzomah in the final seconds.

Both Prescott and Auburn's defense have gotten better since then, and they'll leave Saturday's game with a clearer idea of just how far they've come.

An Auburn front line that is big and deep has to try to keep Prescott from bulldozing through, and he'll challenge a youthful secondary, too.

"He puts a tremendous amount of pressure on you," Auburn defensive tackle Gabe Wright said. "He is a dual-threat quarterback and just saying that, I think that in itself already speaks volumes. Dual-threat means he can both run and pass."